cfmistry

I've been wanting to make this thread for a while. I've had the car over 2 years and 25k miles now. It's been very reliable, very comfortable, and pretty much what I expected in my first S-class. I've made a few changes during my ownership and wanted to help other owners looking to make changes....

1. Carbon-ceramic brake pads. Without any doubts, this has been my favorite change and the best money spent. Ironic because it was probably the cheapest change by a long shot! I use the PowerStop Z23 pads, but I assume any carbon ceramic pads would be similar. The car makes zero (0.00) brake dust. The wheels get dirty the same way the paint does - from fallout and rain. Most of us have the original MB pads and they dust like a chimney. These pads are a game-changer. The brake performance is not quite as good as the MB pads, but very close.

2. Ceramic coating. A dirty W222 looks like a $30k car. A clean one looks like a $100k car. Most of you know what a ceramic coating is - it does not matter which particular one you are looking at; they all do a great job of keeping the surface slick (keeping dirt off). The picture below is my car after about 300 miles / 1 week / 2 rainy days. I think it looks pretty freaking pristine. Before the coating and the brake pads this car would need a wash for sure by now.




3. BenzNinja coding. A lot of little tweaks that an owner appreciates much more than than any admirer. I am set to Euro ride height (about 3/4" lower than stock), Eco mode remembered (stays off), Sport more remembered (stays in sport), ILS+ headlights, Traffic Sign Assist activated, Turn Signal to 5 Blinks. Small things that add up to a huge difference in daily driving.

4. CarPlay add-on module. Mine is the RoadTop unit but the JoyEAuto is essentially the same. Would love to rate it higher since I use it constantly, but the occasional freezes and disconnects make it a bit of a pain. I really wish it was more reliable.

5. Wheel spacers. Bonoss 15mm front/rear. They really change the look of the car - making it look slightly more aggressive. It's a subtle change, but that's how it should be on an S!

6. DTE PedalBox. Essentially a PedalCommander, SprintBooster, etc. This remaps the accelerator pedal and makes a noticeable difference in daily driving. When I turn it off I really notice how anemic the original pedal was.

7. ECU tune. Weistec Engineering. As I've said before, this makes a colossal difference above 3k RPM but that is rarely an area I travel to. In day-to-day driving this doesn't make much difference.

8. Window tint. I went 40% all around, wish I'd gone darker. This is a personal preference that most of you already have made.

9. Performance air filters. AFE Pro Dry S. Noticed no difference.

That's all I got! Hope it helps someone.

Tom in Austin

Love that Palladium silver, wish they had continued it past 2015!

Sean._.S

Looks beautiful

fchernyak

I was thinking about getting wheels spacers also. Notice any difference in the drive, handling or comfort?

S_W222

Thanks for the feedback. Just curious, what kind of ceramic pads are you using? Cost? Can they be used with the OEM rotors?

Donnymac

Nice job!

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

Thank you !

BenzV12

Nice things , you have invested in your car . I love its color as well
Happy Driving

cfmistry

Thanks! It is a great color. I am more of a "gray" guy but this was as close as it got in 2015. Black is my favorite color but I like to keep my cars clean and they're too hard!

Thank you!

There may be a slight amount of added vibration around 50mph or that might be in my head. Other than that, no difference.

PowerStop Z23 Linked Here They were under $100 for front and rear. Yes they can be used with MB rotors, that is my setup.

Thank you!

Well deserved!

Thanks!

S_W222

Thanks. Do the ceramic pads really last longer than the OEM ones?

Newbyloub

Ho-hum.

I have no interest in gilding a lily.

Enjoy your spending!

SW20S

The ceramic pads are HUGE. The dust is the issue, not the longevity. Keeps the car so much cleaner...the ceramic coating does a lot too but the biggest difference in cleanliness is the pads.

I also LOVE the coding, most specifically the ILS.

SW20S

Thanks for the narcissism lol

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

Ceramic coating is a MUST. it's a game changer either real ceramic or Hybrid DIY keeps your car new like the first day and much less car wash
I have used it on all my cars

There is a seriously tested and outstanding hybrid product called CMX
you can find these tests on youtube

SW20S

I have put ceramic coatings on this car and my previous LS460L, they are great. There are a lot of great ceramic boosters out there to keep them working well too. I haven't used that one, but there are a bunch...

cfmistry

No idea (haven't had them long enough), but that isn't the real benefit. It's the lack of dust! Even if they lasted 1/3 as long I would get them every time.

100% Agreed.

I will give that a try next time. I am currently using CarPro Reload; CarPro is a huge name in coatings as they make CQuartz. Reload is their SiO2-infused "booster" and it is phenomenal even on non-coated parts.

SW20S

Reload is a good product, but there are better products in terms of ease of use. I love gtechniq's C2V3 (renamed Ceramic Sealant), I just ordered Gyeon's Ceramic Detailer to try that. Reload is kind of finicky.

cfmistry

I've read that a lot, but my bottle is so easy to use. Wipe on, wipe off - no streaking. Maybe they reformulated?

SW20S

There is a reformulated Reload that I haven't used. Reload has a milky consistency where these other products are totally clear, I've just found they don't streak and you get more immediate slickness, etc.

vinflouen

I have done the tint, tuning, car play, benz ninja coding, bought ny own version of xentry, renntech tuned, done all my fluids, spark plugs, pulleys and belts….BUT, here is what my car looks like after one week of tree pollen and April showers…..Paint correction and ceramic coating is by far the best upgrade and protection you can do for your benzo.
I used Gtechniq crystal serum and followed by EXO.
Nothing sticks to my car, I dont like things sticking if you know what i mean…
really well thought out list.

S_W222

Nothing on the market beats CARPRO Reload. I have tried mostly all popular brands on all my cars starting 8 years ago until to date, and I can tell you, they are all the same crap that goes away after 2-3 washes I do not believe most reviewer online, they mostly (not all) paid sponsors, and if not they are just hesitant to say something bad even when honest about any product to maintain relationship. But I do believe my own testing and experience when it's combined with matching reviews. CARPRO Reload Spray is the only (non-real coating) that works as good as the full real coating if you maintain it between washes.

BeanBR

ILS+ headlights by BenzNinja

Quenthel

I had mine professionally corrected and ceramic coated, which I then maintain with Gyeon products (foam, bathe+ every week or restart wash once every two three months, cure once per month, ceramic detailer once a week) and I also have the coating refreshed once a year. The car deserves it, as is its resale value.

I used wax plus sealant in the past before I got the car coated and it was taking way too much time to apply the products in relation to their durability.

Donnymac

Interesting link on MB pads from various foreign suppliers.

https://www.frontechchina.com/buying...nz-brake-pads/

Side note. Assuming equal size and braking conditions, ceramic will last longer but stopping capability goes to metal composite. Cleaner of the two is definitely ceramic. You choose.

Brakes are area, force and friction. On a race car, all of the three are adjustable as needed. Not so with our sedans. I wish they had bigger rotors and large ceramic pads. It would be a nice option.

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

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Here is the ultimate test in time
ordered Griot's Ceramic 3-in-1 let's give it a shot !